It was unclear what the farewell fete was to celebrate, perhaps that many members won't have to see each other for five weeks.

Not every senator went. Others still were seen exiting the Senate office buildings early to get back to the Capitol.

A few, though, embraced the proximity of bipartisanship. Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., chatted collegially with Sen. Patrick J. Leahy, D-Vt., on an open-air subway car back to the Capitol. Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., stopped to talk briefly with TV cameras on her way out.

Sen. Johnny Isakson, R-Ga., said he provided the food for the barbecue, which came from Sam's BBQ 1 in Marietta, Ga., the same barbecue joint that catered the event last year. "I think it's a good way to end the session for the summer and leave on a good note," Isakson said.

Perhaps when senators come back after Labor Day, they can make a wager on a friendly game of cornhole to raise the debt limit.